Clock/Timing - Real Time Clocks

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
DS1673E-3 Analog Devices, Inc.	PORTABLE SYSTEM CONTROLLER	2281
DS17885-3+ Analog Devices, Inc.	DS17885 REAL-TIME CLOCK	71
DS1344E-18+ Analog Devices, Inc.	DS1344 LOW-CURRENT SPI/3-WIRE RT	4070
DS1688S Analog Devices, Inc.	RTC WITH NV RAM CONTROL	532
DS1338Z-18 Analog Devices, Inc.	I2C RTC WITH TRICKLE CHARGER	7770
DS1315S-33 Analog Devices, Inc.	DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP	19
DS1554-70 Analog Devices, Inc.	NV, Y2K TIMEKEEPING RAM	57
DS1747P-70 Analog Devices, Inc.	Y2K, NV TIMEKEEPING RAM	634
DS1746-70 Analog Devices, Inc.	Y2K, NV TIMEKEEPING RAM	4105
DS1685E-3 Analog Devices, Inc.	DS1685 5V REAL-TIME CLOCK	455
DS14285N+ Analog Devices, Inc.	DS14285 RTC WITH NV RAM CONTROL	2822
DS1670S Analog Devices, Inc.	PORTABLE SYSTEM CONTROLLER	77
DS2415P Analog Devices, Inc.	DS2415 1-WIRE TIME CHIP	11383
DS1315N-33 Analog Devices, Inc.	DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP	1467
DS1315-5 Analog Devices, Inc.	DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP	42
DS1315-33 Analog Devices, Inc.	DS1315 PHANTOM TIME CHIP	93
DS1743-85+ Analog Devices, Inc.	Y2K, NV TIMEKEEPING RAM	228
DS12885T Analog Devices, Inc.	DS12885 REAL-TIME CLOCK	8438
DS17485E-3+ Analog Devices, Inc.	DS17485 REAL-TIME CLOCK	447
DS1742-70+ Analog Devices, Inc.	DS1742 Y2KC NV TIMEKEEPING RAM	68

Clock/Timing - Real Time Clocks

1. Overview

Real-Time Clocks (RTCs) are integrated circuits designed to maintain accurate timekeeping in electronic systems, even during power interruptions. They provide critical time-of-day, date, and alarm functions through battery-backed or capacitor-powered circuits. RTCs are essential for applications requiring precise temporal synchronization in embedded systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and automotive systems.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Parallel Interface RTCs	8/16-bit parallel data buses, fast access	Industrial controllers, legacy systems
I2C/SPI Interface RTCs	Serial communication, low pin count	Smartphones, IoT devices
Embedded Crystal RTCs	Integrated crystal oscillator, reduced footprint	Wearables, medical devices
Low-Power RTCs	Sub-1 A standby current, extended battery life	Energy harvesting systems, sensors

3. Structure and Components

Typical RTC architecture includes:

32.768kHz crystal oscillator circuit
Binary counter with BCD/time registers
Power supply monitoring and switching circuitry
Communication interface (I2C, SPI, etc.)
Alarm and interrupt generation modules
Temperature compensation circuitry (for high-precision variants)

Common packaging: 8-24 pin DIP/SOP/TSSOP, with optional integrated crystal in QFN packages.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance	Typical Values
Timekeeping Accuracy	Determines cumulative error over time	2ppm (0 C-40 C), 20ppm industrial
Supply Current	Impacts battery life	800nA-2 A @ 3V
Operating Temperature	Defines environmental reliability	-40 C to +85 C standard
Interface Speed	Limits system communication bandwidth	400kHz I2C, 10MHz SPI
Timekeeping Voltage	Determines minimum operation threshold	1.3V-3.7V

5. Application Areas

Key industries and equipment:

Consumer Electronics: Smartphones, Set-top boxes, Digital cameras
Industrial Automation: PLCs, SCADA systems, Data loggers
Medical Devices: Patient monitors, Infusion pumps, Diagnostic equipment
Automotive: Telematics units, ADAS, In-vehicle infotainment
Smart Energy: Smart meters, Grid sensors, Energy storage systems

Case Study: DS3231 RTC in solar inverters maintains time-stamped energy production logs during grid outages.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Features
Analog Devices	ADT74x	0.5ppm accuracy, I2C interface
Maxim Integrated	DS3231	Integrated TCXO, 2ppm
STMicroelectronics	M41T82	Auto-calibration, 256Hz output
NXP Semiconductors	PCF8523	Low-cost I2C, 1.8V operation
Texas Instruments	RV-8263-C3	3V lithium-backed, alarm functions

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Accuracy requirements ( 2ppm vs 20ppm)
Interface compatibility (I2C vs SPI vs parallel)
Power budget (active vs standby current)
Environmental conditions (temperature, vibration)
Package size vs PCB space limitations
Battery backup vs capacitor-based solutions
Additional features (alarms, square wave outputs)

Example: For wearables: prioritize ultra-low power (M41T94 @ 600nA) with small TSSOP package.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging trends include:

Integration with MEMS oscillators replacing traditional crystals
Advancements in temperature compensation algorithms ( 0.1ppm achievable)
System-in-Package (SiP) solutions combining RTC with sensors
Increased adoption in edge computing devices for timestamped data processing
Automotive-grade RTCs for autonomous vehicle synchronization

Market drivers: Growth in IoT devices (projected 12% CAGR 2023-2030) and industrial automation systems.